Page 44 - SampleIssue

KING PELLINORE’S LITERARY MAGAZINE

we call Spontaneity or Instinct. We denote this primary
wisdom as Intuition, whilst all later teachings are tuitions.
In that deep force, the last fact behind which analysis
cannot go, all things find their common origin. For, the
sense of being which in calm hours rises, we know not
how, in the soul, is not diverse from things, from space,
from light, from time, from man, but one with them, and
proceeds obviously from the same source whence their life
and being also proceed. We first share the life by which
things exist, and afterwards see them as appearances in
nature, and forget that we have shared their cause. Here
is the fountain of action and of thought. Here are the
lungs of that inspiration which giveth man wisdom, and
which cannot be denied without impiety and atheism. We
lie in the lap of immense intelligence, which makes us
receivers of its truth and organs of its activity. When we
discern justice, when we discern truth, we do nothing of
ourselves, but allow a passage to its beams. If we ask
whence this comes, if we seek to pry into the soul that
causes, all philosophy is at fault. Its presence or its
absence is all we can affirm. Every man discriminates
between the voluntary acts of his mind, and his
involuntary perceptions, and knows that to his
involuntary perceptions a perfect faith is due. He may err
in the expression of them, but he knows that these things
are so, like day and night, not to be disputed. My wilful
actions and acquisitions are but roving; — the idlest
reverie, the faintest native emotion, command my
curiosity and respect. Thoughtless people contradict as
readily the statement of perceptions as of opinions, or
rather much more readily; for, they do not distinguish
between perception and notion. They fancy that I choose
to see this or that thing. But perception is not whimsical,
but fatal. If I see a trait, my children will see it after me,
and in course of time, all mankind, — although it may
chance that no one has seen it before me. For my
perception of it is as much a fact as the sun.

44